Nine Mile Metals Uses New Tech to See Deeper

BY NORTHERN MINER STAFF Using new technology to see deep into the Earth, Nine Mile Metals (CSE: NINE) is hoping to unlock the secrets of New Brunswick’s prolific Bathurst Mining Camp. Most times when exploration companies start drilling a new target, they are taking an educated guess. But as drilling begins at Nine Mile Metals’ California Lake project, the team is more confident than usual of their chances of success after not one, but three cutting-edge technologies highlighted the potential of its latest target. “When our three leading edge independent technologies identify the same target or trend, then we prioritize that specific target and we prioritize them due to several criteria, size, scale, favourable geology, to state just a few,” CEO Patrick Cruickshank says. Nine Mile has been active in the historic Bathurst Mining Camp in New Brunswick for the last two years, although their team has been there for six, building up a 130-plus-sq.-km land package covering four projects located close to the World Famous Brunswick No. 12, which was the world’s largest underground zinc — lead mines at one time and mined for over 50 years. For over a century, the Bathurst camp has been one of the world’s most prolific mining centres, with miners identifying 46 volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits so far, more than half of which contain more than a million tonnes of metals. Most are VMS deposits containing a mix of copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver highly concentrated in a lens of dense metallic ore. They include the historic Brunswick #12, #6, Restigouche, Heath Steele, Startmat, Murray Brook, and Caribou VMS mines. The known VMS deposits can be up to 10 km apart, raising questions and hopes about what lies between them. However, finding the missing mineralization can be tricky as they can lie several hundred metres below surface, and with the lens standing vertically and presenting a footprint just 500-1,000 metres across at surface. Existing technologies, including airborne electromagnetic surveys or electro physics, can identify the possible presence of mineral deposits up to 400 metres deep and use software extrapolation and AI to predict deeper, we need true native geophysics to see deeper. But usually geologists don’t know whether they have valuable base metals or worthless pyrite until they begin testing the targets with expensive diamond drilling. “Traditional geophysics (IP & EM surveys) see 300 metres-400 metres deep and present hundreds of targets that you can’t identify until you drill the target,” Cruickshank notes. To overcome these challenges, Nine Mile has turned to two companies that have developed new ways to look deep below the Earth’s surface without drilling. Nine Mile was already working with Manitoba-based EarthEx Geophysical Solutions to use its proprietary technology and algorithms and late time conductive response analysis to reprocess legacy MegaTEM data to identify a series of priority targets and target trends across its portfolio of VMS projects. This year, the company was approached by Earth Science Services Corp (ESSCO), another Canadian firm which uses airborne acoustic electromagnetic (EM) surveys to search for mineral targets over wide areas. The technique has been developed from Magnetotelluric methods, which are widely used by some of the world’s largest energy companies to find oil and gas deposits. After carrying out a fixed-wing survey over the Bathurst camp, ESSCO identified a handful of target regions which returned similar results using the Brunswick #12 as its computerized baseline model. Nine Mile’s California Lake’s Target Number 10 target was the biggest similar model. Moreover, ESSCO’s suggested targets lined up precisely with the known mines and priority areas identified by EarthEx. “This is when we get excited but cautiously optimistic,” stated Cruickshank. “Mother nature can still be cruel no matter how much de-risking and modeling and preparation you complete. But we believe our technical team is pushing the discovery envelop with the latest exciting technologies and apply them to this world class camp.” ESSCO then used acoustic-transponder reference stations and a drone to fly a local acoustic EM survey to assess the density of the mineral targets. This can help geologists to more quickly discern between the very heavy metallic deposits and the surrounding wall rock. Targets can then simply be tested with a single drill hole allowing worthless false flags to be quickly ruled out. ESSCO then used artificial intelligence to process existing and new data in a model combining both the probable lithology and density of the deposit. “What these guys are doing should speed the whole process up and create an economic exploration model, we can test a large trend or target based on potential economic size and not drill the traditional 10-20 holes,” explains Cruickshank. This work allowed Nine Mile to identify five independent prospective lenses within the Cali #10 target, which the company is now drilling. The first is estimated to be more than 700 metres below surface, a challenging depth to hit such a slender target. But the drilling is being carried out by New Brunswick specialists Les Forages Chapais, a company with decades of experience drilling VMS-style deposits in the Bathurst region. That means negotiating difficult terrain and keeping holes on track hundreds of metres into the ground. Cruickshank is cautiously optimistic about the technology’s potential. “We know EarthEx’s technology works, proven on our last years’ California Lake #8 target,” he said. “Eight successful VMS drill holes on a 2-km trend will be explored further in 2024 now that we have acquired the source target land a few months ago. However, if ESCCO’s density modeling technology is successful, it’s the missing piece we can use to overlap all three technologies for successful target generation.” “The industry has been looking for a technology that can differentiate and filter out what it finds and that’s what this company believes they have, so it’s exciting to be the pilot,” the executive explains. The evidence from ESSCO does not end with target Number 10 but points the way to several other potential mineral deposits, providing Nine Mile with a roadmap

October Newsletter

Dear Nine Mile Metals Community, October has been a month of significant progress and discovery at our projects located in the Bathurst Mining Camp. As we journey deeper into our exploration efforts, I want to share our recent updates and the path ahead. The Wedge Project: Last week, I was pleased to announce our plans to drill the Wedge Project, marking a new chapter in Nine Mile Metals’ exploration journey. A strategically located project, The Wedge sits incredibly close to the iconic Brunswick #12 Mine, promising immense potential. The full news release sheds light on the intricate details of our plans, which I further expand on in this interview: The Wedge Project has a rich history as a past producing Caminco mine, and I believe it holds a promising future. I recently shared an on-site update and elaborated on how today’s technology can bring new life to such projects. Explore the Video: Bathurst Mining Camp’s Untapped Potential: Our latest insights suggest that it’s not about discovering new territories but about going deeper. Historically, the very deposits that gave life to mines in the area have been tapped into, but we firmly believe there’s more below, just waiting to be unveiled. Understand the depth of these deposits in our recent video, where we unravel the potential of what lies below:  Watch the Video. What’s Next: Nine Mile Brook: We’re finalizing a 600-meter drill hole, with targets pinpointed using advanced 3-D and AI technology. The Wedge: We’ve mapped out nine prime drill target areas in our western camp portfolio, and will commence drilling once we’ve finalized the drill hole at Nine Mile Brook. California Lake: Post our 2022 drilling, shallow holes at California Lake have shown promising outcomes. Geophysical insights have led us to larger, deeper targets for our upcoming drill program. Bulk Sample Program: Advancing our bulk sample work on the Nine Mile Brook Lens, recent assay results have revealed impressive figures, including 10.14% Cu and 91.47 G/T silver over 15 meters. We’re well into the preparatory phase for a permit application, and will be sharing updates shortly. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” That’s how we approach our work – with thorough preparation. Your patience and trust mean everything to us. I understand the journey isn’t always straightforward, but I promise we’re committed to delivering our best. Warm regards, Patrick Cruickshank, CEO and Director, Nine Mile Metals Ltd.

September Newsletter

From the Desk of Patrick Cruickshank, CEO & Director Dear Shareholders and Partners, As we progress into October, I’m excited to recap some pivotal milestones that occurred in September that were critical in allowing us to shape our road map for the months to come. This includes two successful acquisitions of strategic land claims, as well as the commencement of our Bulk Sample Project. September Highlights: Strategic Land Acquisitions: September was characterized by our foresight and determination to extend our reach. We successfully expanded our land package with an acquisition of over 15 Sq Kms of claims strategically nestled next to our California Lake and Nine Mile Brooks VMS Projects. This move is not merely about expansion, but is integral to our mission, ensuring we have claims to the potential deposits we anticipate discovering. Learn more about the specifics of these acquisitions through the following news releases: September 7, 2023 Announcement – Acquisition of 10.78 Sq Kms of Strategic Claims Adjacent to California Lake and Nine Mile Brook September 19, 2023 Announcement – Acquisition of 5.06 Sq Kms of Strategic Claims Adjacent to California Lake Watch the clip below to learn more about the significance of these acquisitions: Nine Mile Metals CEO, Patrick Cruickshank, Shares Update on Significance of 09/19/23 News Release Commencement of the Bulk Sample Project: Our collaboration with GEMTEC advanced significantly with the completion of the baseline sampling at Nine Mile Brook. This marks the onset of our Bulk Sample Project. With GEMTEC’s draft for the excavation plan on the horizon, we’re keenly awaiting details about the maximum sample size for our subsequent direct bulk shipment to the chosen smelter. We’re evaluating potential smelters with RPC Fredericton and are in the process of finalizing our excavation mining partner from bids we’ve received. You can explore the details of this move in our official press release, and learn about the significance of this advancement in the interview below: Nine Mile’s CEO Discusses the Engagement of GEMTEC and the Imminent Plans for the Bulk Sample October Foresight: With excavation plans underway and smelters under review, we’re excited for the start of the winter season. The frigid conditions of winter are optimal for us advancing our Bulk Project due to the frozen state of the creek. This allows for clean, efficient, and environmentally friendly excavation efforts, minimizing our costs and environmental impact. We look forward to continuing to provide stakeholders with valuable updates as we progress in our exploration efforts. One initiative I’m personally thrilled about is enhancing our communication with you through CEO interviews post each news release. The past month has been a testament to its value, offering a comprehensive overview of our endeavors and their impact on our shareholders. To stay abreast with these updates and more, follow us on our YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn platforms. In wrapping up, September was indeed monumental, laying a solid foundation for our future plans. As always, your loyalty and support propel our efforts, and together, we journey towards new horizons in Critical Minerals Exploration. Warmly, Patrick Cruickshank   CEO & Director Nine Mile Metals Ltd.

September Newsletter: Fall Forecast and August Highlights

  From the Desk of Patrick Cruickshank, CEO & Director Dear Shareholders and Partners, I’m excited to share that going forward, I’ll be providing regular project updates through this newsletter. This will serve as your portal into the ongoings of Nine Mile Metals four projects in the renowned Bathurst Mining Camp in New Brunswick. I look forward to keeping you updated as we progress in our discovery of high-grade critical minerals. To start, yesterday’s news release announcing the acquisition of an additional 10.78 sq kms of strategic claims adjacent to the California Lake and Nine Mile Brook VMS Projects was a significant move for the Nine Mile team (full release here). I had the pleasure of discussing the significance of this announcement in the below interview, which highlights what this acquisition means for us going forward:   August Highlights: August 24th – We shared the XRF results from the historic Wedge mine site. The full release is available here. For a brief summary: XRF Lab Results: Indicated 29.58% Cu, 10.19% combined Pb-Zn. Silver & Gold assay results to follow. The data collected provides more context on the historical operations of the Wedge mine & confirms our drill program targeting. Ongoing work on property re-processed geophysics and AI stage 1 analysis. Preparations for our upcoming Wedge Project drill program are underway. August 2nd – Released certified lab results from the historic Wedge mine site. For those interested in the specifics, the detailed release can be found here. Key takeaways from this announcement are: Lab Results: The samples, which are ore from the Wedge mine and not chip samples, showed up to 19% Cu, 10.25% Pb, 30%+ Zn, 97 g/t Ag, and 2.78 g/t Au. Most of the samples consisted of fine-grained massive VMS (Cu-Pb-Zn) mineralization. Completion of property re-processed geophysics and AI stage 1 analysis. Upcoming drill program designs have been permitted and finalized. Our efforts at the Wedge project site have been consistent and have provided valuable insights into its potential. A Notable Addition: Kevin Hicks We’re pleased to welcome Kevin Hicks as the newest Director at Nine Mile Metals Ltd. With 38 years in the oil and gas industry and his current CEO role at Have Blue Capital Corp, focusing on Critical Mineral Investments across the Americas, Kevin’s vast expertise is aligned with our vision, marking him a notable addition. Full announcement. Looking Forward: As we move through September, we’re focused on the upcoming Wedge Extension Trend drill program and its newly identified high priority targets. Our ongoing efforts are crucial as they resonate with our mission in Critical Minerals Exploration, positioning us to meet the emerging demands of the EV and green technologies sectors. Learn more about the Wedge project in these video clips: The Wedge: 100% Newly Acquired Past Producing Mine With Immense Untapped Potential at Depth The Wedge: Nine Mile Metals CEO, Patrick Cruickshank, Shares An Update On the Wedge Project And Its Vast Potential I’d like to express my appreciation for your continued interest and trust in our endeavors. As we step into September, we remain committed to transparent, steady progress. Be sure to subscribe to this newsletter and connect with us on social for regular updates. Sincerely, Patrick Cruickshank   CEO & Director   Nine Mile Metals Ltd.

Nine Mile Metals advances projects with ‘five-star’ locations in Bathurst Mining Camp

BY NORTHERN MINER STAFF Nine Mile Metals’ (CSE: NINE; US-OTC: VMSXF) flagship Nine Mile Brook critical minerals project in northern New Brunswick sits in the heart of the Bathurst Mining Camp, a circular area of about 70 km in diameter in the province’s Miramichi Highlands. The BMC hosts 46 known deposits (25 with reserves over 1 million tonnes) and another 100 mineral occurrences, according to the province’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Development, and it has been the focal point of exploration since the 1950s, when two massive base metal deposits — No. 6 and No. 12 — were discovered. The Vancouver-based junior’s Nine Mile Brook project is 10 km southwest of the Brunswick No. 12 lead-zinc-copper mine, which operated for 49 years until it closed in 2013, and still ranks as one of the largest underground zinc mines in the world. Nine Mile Brook also lies just 13 km from the Brunswick No. 6 copper-lead-zinc mine, which was in production from 1966 until 1983. “This is the third largest mining camp in the world and the government and us both believe from the geology and geophysics that only 30% of its deposits have been discovered and there is a larger one than the Brunswick 12 waiting to be discovered,” says CEO Patrick Cruickshank. “You can see spatial deposits almost every 10 km.” Nine Mile Brook and the company’s two other projects, Canoe Landing Lake and California Lake, 8 and 10 km to the west, respectively, are all in “five-star locations,” he says. “Our projects are in the mineralized folded saddle in the camp and very little work has been done there. No one wanted to explore there because it’s so complex.” One of the reasons it’s such a difficult environment is that five episodes of structural deformation have been identified, rock units are near vertical and there’s less than 1% outcrop in the camp. “The deposits are twisting and folding, and you can drill 100 holes and not hit anything.” Technology and analytical advancements are making exploration more accessible, however. Nine Mile Metals is working with EarthEx Geophysical Solutions to accelerate targeting using close-spaced UAV drone magnetics and proprietary algorithm processing along with artificial intelligence (AI) target extraction processes. “Every 20 years or so there is a breakthrough in new geophysical technology — magnetics, gravity, VTEM and so on— and the latest is UAV high-definition magnetics with proprietary processing algorithms and AI machine learning,” Cruickshank says, adding that the results of the company’s last two drill programs prove that statement true. At Nine Mile Brook, results from the first drill program “are the richest copper results in the history of the mining camp,” he says. Drill hole NM22003 intersected 10.5 metres of 6.92% copper, 5.6% zinc, 2.52% lead, 179.28 grams silver per tonne, and 1.33 grams gold starting from surface. Drill hole NM220004 returned 15.1 metres grading 10.12% copper, 1% zinc, 1.41% lead, 91.47 grams silver, and 0.84 gram gold from surface; and drill hole NM220005 cut 11 metres grading 9.59% copper, 11.93% zinc, 2.90% lead, 283.31 grams silver and 1.65 grams gold. For the second phase program, the company chose targets based on results from phase 1 and EarthEx’s UAV drone technology with 3-D magnetic modelling defining subsurface geological structures. The survey identified potential structural mineralized folds in the system with details visible to a depth of up to 1 km. In addition to the magnetometer, the drone is equipped with a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) laser imaging system that provides real-time data for collision avoidance, allowing the drone to fly as low as possible. A magnetic base station is also established to continually collect data and identify diurnal changes in the magnetics. Nine Mile Metals is now drilling its secondphase, 5,000-metre program, which will target 18 individual geophysical anomalies at Nine Mile Brook. At its California Lake project, the initial stage 1 drill program was completed in November. The 1,226-metre program included eight shallow holes collared to intersect VMS mineralization along a 1.5-km, late time conductance electromagnetic anomaly defined by EarthEx. Seven of the holes intersected multiple VMS horizons within a sheared sedimentary package. “That’s unheard of in a first pass,” Cruickshank says. “Usually, you are happy to have one hole clip any mineralization on an initial shallow program. We actually drilled seven of eight holes with multiple VMS zones.” This first-pass program was based on an initial re-processing of public MegaTEM datasets by EarthEX and overlaying late-time conductive responses utilized by their algorithms’ analysis. “We didn’t even fly the drone, that’s how good the technology is just to process the data, and this summer we will do a complete phase two at California Lake, fly the drone, and then come back with a 5,000- to 10,000-metre drill program on the high-end targets and we’ll do the same at Canoe Lake,” he says. “We have definition no one has ever seen before, it’s pretty incredible, and provides us with an excellent exploration road map.”   To Download the Article, Click the Link Below! Northern Miner – Mining.com PDAC Edition Article